What does MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

This section establishes a process for the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council. The MOU aims to enhance cooperation and coordination regarding historical or traditional uses of qualified land grant-mercedes on Federal land. The MOU will outline procedures for obtaining permits and other land use authorizations for these uses, including descriptions of applicable fees and potential waivers. It addresses authorization for both routine maintenance and minor improvements, as well as a process for authorizing major improvements to infrastructure. The MOU must describe policies and procedures for notice and comment on land management decisions affecting these uses. The New Mexico Land Grant Council may represent qualified land grant-mercedes in developing and implementing the MOU. When determining fee reductions or waivers, the Secretary must consider the socioeconomic conditions of community users and the annual operating budget of the land grant-mercedes.

What does CONSIDERATION AND INCLUSION OF PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

The Secretary must consider historical or traditional uses in land use planning. Land use plans must evaluate the impact of other uses on historical or traditional uses. This applies to plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and National Forest Management Act.

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New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

Q: What does Preamble of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

This bill aims to increase cooperation between the Federal Government and land grant-mercedes governing bodies in New Mexico The cooperation focuses on historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land

Q: What does SHORT TITLE. of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act''.

Q: What does DEFINITIONS. of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Community user” is defined as an heir of a qualified land grant-merced. “Federal land” is defined as land owned by the United States, with specific exclusions for land within Indian reservations, land held in trust for Native Americans, and land held in fee by Native Americans subject to alienation restrictions. “Governing body” refers to the board of trustees managing a qualified land grant-merced under State law. “Historical or traditional use” encompasses long-established uses of Federal land by a qualified land grant-merced for noncommercial benefit, including water use, gathering of herbs, wood products, flora, grazing, subsistence hunting/fishing, soil/rock gathering, monument/shrine/cemetery maintenance, and other uses approved by the Secretary and the New Mexico Land Grant Council. “Indian Tribe” is defined as the governing body of federally recognized tribes. “Memorandum of understanding” refers to agreements entered into under section 3(a)(1). “Noncommercial benefit” means a benefit where the primary purpose is not the sale of goods or services. “Qualified land grant-merced” is a community land grant recognized under New Mexico Statutes, demonstrating either a record of historical use or a patented boundary on or adjacent to Federal land. “Secretary concerned” refers to either the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, depending on the jurisdiction of the Federal land.

Q: What does EFFECT. of New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act do?

This section states that the Act does not modify, limit, expand, or otherwise affect any treaty-reserved right or other right of, or obligation to, any Indian Tribe. The Act does not affect a State's authority to regulate water use in accordance with Federal and State laws. The Act does not affect a State's authority to regulate the management of game and fish in accordance with Federal and State laws. This section clarifies that the Act does not affect any valid existing rights or valid permitted authorized uses of Federal land. The Act does not create any implicit or explicit right to any type of use of Federal land.

Last updated: 4/9/2025 · Introduced: 4/9/2025

Author: Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a process for the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to enter into agreements with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to coordinate and streamline permit requirements for historical or traditional uses of Federal land by qualified land grant-mercedes.
The bill requires federal land use plans to consider the impact of other uses on long-standing historical or traditional uses by qualified land grant-mercedes.
This legislation clarifies that it does not alter existing treaty rights of Native American tribes, state authority over water and game management, or valid existing land use rights.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1363(In Committee)Official page

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